The Social Welfare Department (SWD), according to Section 4(17)(i) of Summary Offences Ordinance, Cap. 228, Laws of Hong Kong, regulates any person who organises, provides equipment for, or participates in any collection of money or sale or exchange for donation of badges, tokens or similar articles in a public place for charitable purpose. Anyone who conducts the above said activities should apply for a public subscription permit from the Director of SWD. The public subscription permit covers two types of charitable fund-raising activities in public places, namely flag days and general charitable fund-raising activities.

The SWD has prepared the “General Guidelines on the Scope of Public Subscription Permits” to facilitate the public and organisations to understand the circumstances required to apply for a public subscription permit. The “General Guidelines on the Scope of Public Subscription Permits” can be downloaded here.